On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass by Price
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"On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass" by Derek J. de Solla Price is a scientific publication written in the mid-20th century. This work delves into the historical development and origin of various mechanical devices, including clocks and compasses, highlighting their evolution over two millennia across different cultures. Price aims to clarify misconceptions and establish a more cohesive understanding of how these technological advancements arose and influenced each
other. At the start of the work, the author introduces the complexity of tracing the origins of mechanical clocks and the magnetic compass, revealing how common misunderstandings have perpetuated inaccuracies in their histories. He argues against the traditional view that simpler timekeeping devices like sundials directly led to the mechanical clock, proposing instead that they evolved from sophisticated astronomical models developed in ancient cultures. The opening sets the stage for a comprehensive examination of the technological progression from early gearing in different civilizations to the intricate mechanics of clocks and the interplay with concepts like perpetual motion and magnetism. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Price, Derek J. de Solla (Derek John de Solla), 1922-1983 |
|---|---|
| Title | On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass |
| Credits |
Produced by Chris Curnow, Turgut Dincer, Joseph Cooper and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net. |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 57.2 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | Q: Science |
| LoC Class | TS: Technology: Manufactures |
| Subject | Clocks and watches |
| Subject | Horology |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 30001 |
| Release Date | Sep 16, 2009 |
| Last Update | Oct 24, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 740 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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